San Francisco's electronic music fans are in for another sonic treat on July 21 at Embarcadero Plaza, with a free show called "Dirtybird: Back to Baysics." After thrilling attendees with a pop-up concert headlined by Skrillex at the Civic Center in May, Another Planet Entertainment (APE) is now serving up a daytime dance party with Belgian-born, Los Angeles-based DJ Sacha Robotti leading the lineup. Known for his performances at prestigious festivals like Burning KMan, Coachella, and Lightning in a Bottle, Robotti promises to bring a similar energy to the heart of the Bay Area, according to KRON4.
The beats drop between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., and joining Robotti on the decks are DJs Moody Jones and Deron Delgado, with more acts expected to be announced shortly. APE, a local concert production company with a storied history in Bay Area entertainment, is known for hosting events in iconic venues such as The Greek Theatre in Berkeley and San Francisco’s Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. This time around, APE is co-promoting the event in collaboration with Dirtybird Records, a house-and-techno label that knows a thing or two about entertaining massive crowds since the early 2000s, says KRON4.
Not just a run-of-the-mill free concert, the show has been developed as part of an agreement with the city allowing APE to produce additional events in exchange for rights to host another music festival in Golden Gate Park following the Outside Lands. And for these entertainers, it’s about more than just the music. Bryan Duquette, APE’s president of artist management and vice president of concerts and festivals, emphasized, as cited by The SF Standard, the festival-like atmosphere envisaged for the upcoming event, "We’re trying to make it fun, like a Dirtybird Campout. We’re going to bring lawn games and face painters—fun energy, carnival-style."
Given that the Civic Center's recent rave filled San Francisco's evening air with resounding bass – sparking some noise complaints, "Back to Baysics" is strategically planned as a daytime show, which organizers hope will align better with the public's noise tolerance. "No one’s going to be in the office buildings down there. … Plus, a lot of us live in a city for entertainment and for this vitality and energy," Duquette remarked, per The SF Standard, indicating a cultural penchant for the vibrancy such events add to urban living.
